Illuminated games and related method

ABSTRACT

An illuminated game kit for game play at night includes a first generally rectangular shaped board having a peripheral edge and a hole therethrough. The hole is positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the first board and proximate a first end of the first board. A groove is positioned around a periphery of the hole at a top surface of the first board. An illuminated ring is configured for positioning in the groove. A first bean bag has an outside edge and an illuminated string is secured to the outside edge. The illuminated ring and the illuminated string are configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/867,662, filed Aug. 20, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various outdoor games are known and are typically played by players during daylight hours when natural light permits visualization of the games. Such games include bean bag games with two boards, each having holes that players attempt to throw the bean bags into; lawn dart games; chuck-a-ball games where players attempt to wrap a rope with balls on each end around a multi-level ladder-type structure; and paddle-ball or tennis-type games. These games are difficult to play at night when players are unable to see the balls, bean bags, ropes and balls or other equipment associated with the games. It would be desirable to construct and implement such games that are able to be played at night or in low light conditions, thereby increasing the playing time available to players.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An illuminated game kit for game play at night includes a first generally rectangular shaped board having a peripheral edge and a hole through the board. The hole is positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the first board and proximate a first end of the first board. A groove is positioned around a periphery of the hole at a top surface of the first board. An illuminated ring is configured for positioning in the groove. A first bean bag has an outside edge and an illuminated string is secured to the outside edge. The illuminated ring and the illuminated string are configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first board of an illuminated game kit in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D are top perspective, top plan, side elevational, and front elevational views of a first bean bag of the first preferred embodiment of the illuminated game kit, respectively;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of the first board of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a target ring of the illuminated game kit in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, side perspective view of a battery housing of the target ring of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a dart of the illuminated game kit in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an illuminated game kit in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pair of bolases of the illuminated game kit of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9-12 include top plan views of rackets and balls of an illuminated game kit in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the racket of the illuminated game kit of FIG. 9;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of the components of the preferred illuminated game kits and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in a first preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to an illuminated game kit for playing the illuminated game at night or in low light conditions. The first preferred illuminated game includes a first, generally rectangular-shaped board 10 having a peripheral edge 10 a and a hole 12 therethrough. The hole 12 is preferably positioned along a central longitudinal axis 11 of the first board 10 and is located proximate a first end 11 a of the first board 10. The board 10 also preferably includes a second end 11 b opposite the first end 11 a and a pair of sides 11 c. The first board 10 is preferably constructed of a relatively rigid, structural material that is able to take the general size and shape of the first board 10 and withstand the normal operating conditions of the first board 10, such as a polymeric material, wood, metal, composite or other related material. In the first preferred embodiment, the first board 10 has a rectangular-shape, but is not so limited and may have an oval-shape, a circular-shape or nearly any desired shape for game play.

In the first preferred embodiment, the first board 10 includes a groove 14 positioned around a periphery of the hole 12 at a top surface 16 a of the first board 10. The groove 14 has a generally circular or ring-shape in the first preferred embodiment and is positioned substantially entirely around the circular periphery of the hole 12. The groove 14 provides a mounting are for an illuminated ring 18 configured for positioning in the groove 14. The illuminated ring 18 is preferably selectively illuminated through operation of the player to illuminate an area around the hole 12, such that the players can recognize and target the hole 12 during night play or at any time when visibility is low when playing the game. The groove 14 is not limited to be positioned entirely around the periphery of the hole 12 or to having a circular shape and may be positioned nearly anywhere proximate the hole 12 to provide identification of the hole 12 to players during low light time periods and may have nearly any size and/or shape. For example, the illuminated ring 18 may be comprised of a light that is positioned within or below the hole 12, may be comprised of several lights that surround the hole 12, may be comprised of an arrow-shaped illuminated strip mounted to the top surface 16 a or nearly any other elements that is able to provide identification of the hole 12 for the players during low light time periods. In the first preferred embodiment, the first board 10 also includes four (4) light mounts 20 mounted proximate corners of the top surface 16 a to provide additional visual cues to the players regarding the positioning of the first board 10 during game play. The four light mounts 20 are preferably mounted generally flush with the top surface 16 a and proximate the four corners of the first board 10 to identify the corners of the top surface 16 a.

The illuminated ring 18 and the light mounts 20 are preferably illuminated by light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) associated with the illuminated ring 18 and the light mounts 20, but are not so limited. The illuminated ring 18 and light mounts 20 may be illuminated by any mechanism or component that is able to provide illumination of the first board 10 when desired by the players. The illuminated ring 18 and light mounts 20 are preferably powered by batteries that are associated with the first board 10 and provide on/off capability for the players. The illuminated ring 18 and light mounts 20 may also be programmed to flash, change colors or otherwise vary the illumination and this flashing, changing of colors and variation of the illumination may be based on prompting from the players, in preferred embodiments.

The illuminated game kit of the first preferred embodiment also preferably includes a first bean bag 22 having an outside edge 22 a and an illuminated string 24 secured to the outside edge 22 a. The first bean bag 22 is preferably sized and shaped such that it is able to fit through the hole 12 during game play and to land on the top surface 16 a of the first board 10. The first bean bag 22 of the first preferred embodiment may be constructed of a transparent or partially transparent cover material with the illuminated string 24 mounted therein such that light is transmitted through the cover material when the illuminated string 24 is powered on. The first bean bag 22 is not limited to having the illuminated string 24 mounted at the outside edge 22 a and may have a single light mounted therein or may have a chemical component that is released for game play within the cover material that illuminates when mixed by the player. The illuminated string 24 is preferably illuminated by an LED, but is not so limited and may be illuminated by nearly any component that provides for selective illumination of the first bean bag 22 by the players. The illuminated string 24 preferably selectively illuminates the first bean bag 22 during game play such that the player is able to track the flight of the first bean bag 22 during game play and find the first bean bag 22 during low light conditions. The first bean bag 22 preferably has a substantially square-shape, but is not so limited and may have nearly any shape that is able to fit through the hole 12, withstand the normal operating conditions of the first bean bag 22 and function for game play under the normal operating conditions of the preferred illuminated game kit of the first preferred embodiment.

If the first preferred embodiment, the illuminated game kit preferably includes at least two boards that have substantially similar configurations to the first board 10 and at least two bean bags that have substantially similar configurations to the first bean bag 22. The opposing boards and bean bags are preferably utilized to play the game, as will be described in greater detail below.

The first board 10 also preferably includes a pair of first side legs 26 a and a pair of second side legs 26 b. In the first preferred embodiment, the first side legs 26 a are mounted to a bottom side or surface 16 b of the first board 10 proximate the first end 11 a and the second side legs 26 b are mounted to the bottom side 16 b proximate the second end 11 b. The first side legs 26 a are preferably longer than the second side legs 26 b such that the first board 10 is positioned at an acute angle Δ of approximately ten to thirteen degrees (10-13°) relative to a support surface 28 during game play (FIG. 1). The first board 10 is not limited to being positioned at the acute angle Δ of ten to thirteen degrees (10-13°) relative to the support surface 28 during game play and may be positioned generally parallel to the support surface 28 during game play or may be positioned at an angle greater than the preferred acute angle Δ relative to the support surface 28 during game play, such as angles of at least thirty degrees (30°). The first and second side legs 26 a, 26 b are preferably constructed of a generally rigid, structural material, such as polymeric, metal, wood or other related materials and may be removably mounted to the first board 10, such that the first board 10 may be assembled and disassembled for transport by a player.

The first board 10 also preferably includes a first team scoring dial 30 a and a second team scoring dial 30 b on opposite sides 11 c of the first board 10. The first board 10 is not limited to including the first and second scoring dials 30 a, 30 b, but the first and second scoring dials 30 a, 30 b are preferred such that opposing teams are able to keep score of games played using the first and second illuminated game kit. The preferred first board 10 also preferably includes a first mounting fixture 32 a and a second mounting fixture 32 b that are preferably utilized to secure the first board 10 to a second board (not shown) for compact transportation of the illuminated game kit of the first preferred embodiment.

In use, the first board 10 is positioned at a predetermined distance away from the second board on the support surface 28, such that the respective second ends 11 b are closest to each other. The first side legs 26 a pitch the top surfaces 16 a of the first and second boards 10, such that the top surfaces 16 a are facing toward players at the opposing board 10. The illuminated ring 18, light mounts 20 and illuminated string 24 are selectively illuminated by the players, if necessary, such that the players are able to see the first and second boards 10 and the bean bags 22 during low light conditions. The players toss the bean bags 22 toward the opposing boards 10 attempting to cause the bean bags 22 to go through the hole 12 or land on the top surface 16 a to score points. The points may be recorded using the first and second team scoring dials 30 a, 30 b. For transportation purposes, the first and second boards 10 may be disassembled and secured together with the pairs of legs 26 a, 26 b and the bean bags 22 using the mounting fixtures 32 a, 32 b.

In the first preferred embodiment, the boards 10 are preferably constructed using a blow molding technique, but are not so limited. The illuminated string 24 preferably wraps around three (3) sides of the bean bag 22, but is not so limited and may wrap around four (4) sides, be comprised of separate illuminated strings 24 that are mounted at different positions on the bean bag 22 or may be mounted in nearly any manner to the bean bags 22 that provide illumination to the bean bags 22 during game play. The preferred LEDs to illuminate the illuminated ring 18, the light mounts 20 and the illuminated strings 22 are preferably associated with replaceable batteries which are easily accessible and replaceable, if and when the batteries lose power.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in a second preferred embodiment, an illuminated light kit includes a ring-shaped frame 40 that is preferably constructed by plastic or polymeric injection molding. The frame 40 preferably includes LEDs positioned inside frame 40 with battery power source 41, which can be replaced. The battery power source 41 is preferably mounted within a battery housing 42 that forms a portion of the preferred frame 40. The frame 40 is not limited to being ring-shaped or to plastic blow molding constructions and may be constructed of nearly any material and have nearly any shape that permits gameplay of the second preferred illuminated light kit game. The battery power source 41 preferably powers LEDs 43 that are positioned at selected intervals within the frame 40, which has a transparent or partially transparent feature permitting light from the LEDs 43 to shine through the frame 40.

The second preferred embodiment of the illuminated light kit also includes a plastic lawn dart 44 that contains LEDs 43 inside a shaft area 46 with an on-off switch and replaceable batteries 41. The shaft area 46 is preferably transparent or partially transparent to permit light from the LEDs 43 to shine through the shaft area 46, thereby illuminating the lawn darts 44 during game play. The preferred lawn dart 44 also preferably includes an elastic, rubber, foam or other material nose 48 at its front. The nose 48 preferably prevents injury to players if they are hit by the lawn dart 44 during game play and cause the lawn darts 44 to stand upright with the nose 48 to the ground when tossed during game play. The LEDs 43 of the preferred frame 40 and lawn dart 44 preferably have at least an on/off feature and the batteries 41 are preferably replaceable if they run out of power.

In operation, two opposing frames 40 are placed a predetermined distance apart and the batteries are used to power the LEDs 43 to illuminate the frames 40. The lawn darts 44 are tossed at the frames 40 in attempts to position the lawn darts 44 within the frames 40 to score points. The LEDs 43 of the lawn darts 44 are also illuminated selectively by the players such that the lawn darts 44 are visible in low light or dark conditions.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, in a third preferred embodiment, an illuminated game kit includes a throwing target 50 constructed from generally rigid poles including a top horizontal pole 51, a middle horizontal pole 52, a lower horizontal pole 53, a pair of side vertical poles 54 and a base 55. The poles 51, 52, 53, 54 are preferably constructed of a polymeric material and may be constructed of extruded plastic materials in the preferred embodiment. The poles 51, 52, 53, 54 are preferably transparent or semi-transparent and include LEDs (not shown) therein to selectively illuminate the poles 51, 52, 53, 54 for game play during low light or dark conditions. The LEDs are preferably mounted within the poles 51, 52, 53, 54 and are battery powered such that they can be powered off and on upon actuation by the players. Accordingly, the illuminated game of the third preferred embodiment can be played in daylight and low light or dark conditions. A singular power source is preferably situated inside a top section of one of the side vertical poles 54, but is not so limited and may be mounted nearly anywhere on the throwing target 50.

The illuminated game kit of the third preferred embodiment also includes illuminated bolases 56, each of which include a central cord 57 with transparent or semi-transparent balls 58 mounted on its ends. The bolases 56 include batteries and LEDs mounted therein to selectively illuminate the bolases 56. The balls 58 preferably each include an LED mounted therein or proximate an end of the central cord 57 to selectively illuminate the bolases 56 for game play.

In operation, the game of the third preferred embodiment is played by throwing the bolases 56 toward the target 50 to wrap the bolases 56 around the horizontal poles 51, 52, 53 to score points. The balls 58 are preferably constructed of a clear or semi-transparent rubber material. One of the balls 58 of the third preferred embodiment contains the power source and the LED, which lights up the clear material. The power source is powered by the battery which is removable and replaceable when the battery runs out of power. The third preferred illuminated game kit comes with the ball 58 of the bolases 56 containing the LED inside the ball 58 and may include a battery power source which cannot be replaced.

Referring to FIGS. 9-13, in a fourth preferred embodiment, an illuminated game kit 60 includes rackets 61 and balls 62. The rackets 61 are preferably constructed of plastic injection molded plastic frames 61 a, which includes an LED string 66 embedded or mounted inside the frame 61 a with a battery power source 64, which can be removed and replaced from a compartment in a handle portion of the rackets 61 that is closed by a cover 70. At least a portion of the frame 61 a surrounding a racket head 68 is transparent or semi-transparent such that the racket head portion of the frame 61 a is illuminated when the LEDs are powered. The handle may or may not be constructed of transparent or semi-transparent materials such that it is also illuminated. The fourth preferred game is also provided with the balls 62, which contain LEDs inside the ball and a battery power source which may or may not be replaced for illumination. The illumination of the rackets 61 and balls 62 facilitate game play during low visibility or dark game play. Game play of the fourth preferred embodiment would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the present disclosure. 

We claim:
 1. An illuminated game kit for game play at night, the illuminated game comprising: a first generally rectangular-shaped board having a peripheral edge and a hole through the first board, the hole positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the first board and proximate a first end of the first board, a groove positioned around a periphery of the hole at a top surface of the first board; and an illuminated ring configured for positioning in the groove, the illuminated ring configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.
 2. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, further comprising: a first bean bag.
 3. The illuminated game kit of claim 2, wherein the first bean bag has an outside edge and an illuminated string secured to the outside edge, the illuminated string configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.
 4. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, wherein the hole has a circular-shape and the illuminated ring has a substantially circular shape.
 5. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, further comprising: a second board having substantially the same configuration as the first board.
 6. The illuminated game kit of claim 2, further comprising: a second board having substantially the same configuration as the first board; and a second bean bag having substantially the same configuration as the first bean bag.
 7. The illuminated game kit of claim 6, wherein the first and second bean bags each have an outside edge and an illuminated string secured to the outside edge, the illuminated string configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.
 8. The illuminated game kit of claim 3, wherein the first bean bag has a substantially square-shape and the illuminated string includes a first string end and a second string end, the illuminated string extending along three sides of the outside edge.
 9. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of first side legs; and a pair of second side legs, the pair of first side legs mounted to a second side of the first board proximate the first end and the pair of second side legs mounted to the second side proximate a second end of the first board, the first side legs being longer than the second side legs.
 10. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, further comprising: a first board light mounted to the top surface of the first board.
 11. The illuminated game kit of claim 10, further comprising: a second board light, a third board light and a fourth board light, the first, second, third and fourth board lights mounted to the top surface of the first board.
 12. The illuminated game kit of claim 11, wherein the first, second, third and fourth board lights are mounted proximate first, second, third and fourth corners of the first board, respectively.
 13. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, wherein the first board includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the first lateral side having a first team scoring dial thereon and the second lateral side having a second team scoring dial thereon.
 14. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, wherein the first board includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the first lateral side having a first team scoring dial and a second team scoring dial thereon.
 15. The illuminated game kit of claim 1, wherein the first board includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the first lateral side having a first mounting fixture thereon and the second lateral side having a second mounting fixture thereon.
 16. An illuminated game kit for game play at night, the illuminated game comprising: a first generally rectangular-shaped board having a peripheral edge and a hole through the first board, the hole positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the first board and proximate a first end of the first board, a groove positioned around a periphery of the hole at a top surface of the first board; an illuminated ring configured for positioning in the groove, the illuminated ring configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom; and a first bean bag sized and configured to fit through the hole.
 17. The illuminated game kit of claim 16, wherein the first bean bag has an outside edge and an illuminated string secured to the outside edge, the illuminated string configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.
 18. An illuminated game kit for game play at night, the illuminated game kit comprising: a first generally rectangular-shaped board having a peripheral edge and a hole through the first board, the hole positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the first board and proximate a first end of the first board; and a first bean bag having an outside edge, an illuminated string secured to the outside edge, the illuminated string configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom.
 19. The illuminated game kit of claim 18, further comprising: a groove positioned around a periphery of the hole at a top surface of the first board; and an illuminated ring configured for positioning in the groove, the illuminated ring configured for selectively transmitting light therefrom. 